Yangshuo West Street
Guilin, Guangxi
A pedestrian street in the town of Yangshuo, ringed by karst peaks, lined with cafes, bars, and shops that have catered to international backpackers for decades alongside local visitors.
Why visit Yangshuo West Street?
Yangshuo developed as one of the earliest backpacker destinations in China starting in the 1980s, well before mass domestic tourism reached the area, which is why West Street has a noticeably different, more international feel than similarly-sized towns elsewhere in China. It sits directly beneath dramatic karst peaks, so the backdrop itself is as much a reason to visit as the street's restaurants and shops.
How to experience it
The street is dense and walkable, mixing local snack vendors with cafes and bars that skew toward foreign visitors, and it's typically treated as a base for exploring the surrounding countryside — cycling, rock climbing, and river activities — rather than a single attraction in itself. Evenings are noticeably livelier than daytime, with the bar and restaurant scene picking up after dark.
Tip
Rent a bike and ride into the surrounding countryside during the day — the karst scenery just outside town is arguably more rewarding than the street itself.